What is a safe adult?

Young people are surrounded by those who have a statutory duty to keep them safe and protected from harm. Despite this, children and young people may not disclose abuse for a multitude of reasons - acting in a manner that encourages trust can empower children to open up to safe adults. 

Become a trusted adult:

Young people identify key qualities in trusted adults; good-listeners, trust-worthy, non-judgmental, respectful. Trusted adults are people who hold the best interests of children in mind, and want was is best for them. These adults act in a safe way, they do not ask children to keep secrets, make them feel guilty or threaten young people. 

Children should have a range of trusted adults, in which they build a safe network. This network allows young people scope to talk to different people about different things. Trusted adults want to help when a child is opening up about things they are finding difficult, this might not always be a disclose of abuse, but could involve personal worries and difficulties navigating new situations.

As a trusted adult, it is important to give children time, and space, to express themselves

Your responsibilities:

As a Medics & Me volunteer, and a medical student, you are in the position of a safe adult. The children and young people that you work with may consider you a trusted adult, and confide in you about challenges they are experiencing, including disclosures of abuse. Equally, through the course of your mentoring, you may become concerned that there is a risk of harm to your mentee, even if they do not explicitly tell you. 

In both instances, it is your duty as a safe adult to escalate your concerns. By completing this training, you will learn how to do this within Medics & Me, and take steps to solidify your understanding of safeguarding and your role as a safe adult. 

References

Safer Schools UK - Trusted Adult Learning Package